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9-6-2002
FOXBOX.TV
Replaces Foxkids.com with a Fun-Filled Online
Destination for FOX BOX Programming and Promotions.
To complement the September 14 debut of
FOX BOX, the country's newest kids broadcast television network
airing
Saturday mornings on FOX, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:
KDE) has launched
FOXBOX.TV, an interactive website that will extend the reach
of FOX BOX
beyond domestic television to the global, 24-7 world of the
Internet.
As of
September 7, the more than one million kids who log on to
foxkids.com
every month will be redirected to FOXBOX.TV,
where they can explore and
interact with the characters from their favorite FOX BOX programs
as never
before, thanks to the latest in online technology. Characters
like Kirby,
Ultraman Tiga, Kid Muscle, the Stargate Command team, and
the culinary
creatures from Fighting Foodons are all featured on the website
to transform
kids' computers into a literal "Fox Box" as they
download cool screensavers,
music and icons; play games; enter sweepstakes; and discover
history, trivia
and news about their favorite characters that are not revealed
in the on-air
programs.
As the
official online destination for the FOX BOX, FOXBOX.TV also
offers
advertisers a means to become fully integrated with the Saturday
morning FOX
BOX. Through associations with the popular characters, co-branded
initiatives, mini-sites and the use of all forms of rich media,
advertisers'
brands and services will connect directly with kids in a unique
way.
Dan Barnathan,
Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Promotion
for 4Kids Entertainment, said, "FOXBOX.TV truly enhances
the kids' viewing
experience and offers advertisers a very targeted and effective
means to
capitalize on the power of the FOX BOX programs and characters.
I'm also
pleased to announce that Peter Fontana has been named Director,
Integrated
Sales & Marketing for 4Kids Entertainment. Peter joins
us from AOL/Time
Warner with a tremendous amount of integrated sales experience,
to handle
the day-to-day ad sales for FOXBOX.TV."
Premiering
Saturday morning, September 14 at 8:00AM ET, PT / 7:00AM CT,
MT,
the FOX BOX features four hours of the best in action adventure,
fun and
surprises, including such high-profile entertainment as KIRBY:
RIGHT BACK AT
YA!, an animated series based on the Nintendo video game superstar,
as well
as the action-filled series ULTRAMAN TIGA, ULTIMATE MUSCLE,
FIGHTING FOODONS
and STARGATE INFINITY.
8-20-2002
TOKYOPOP®
Announces "Rising Stars of Manga(tm)" Competition
Aspiring
Manga Artists Can Submit Original Works To Win $7,500 in Cash
Prizes and Be Published Worldwide.
Los Angeles, CA (August 21, 2002) - TOKYOPOP®, the premiere
manga publisher in the U.S. and a burgeoning force in youth
entertainment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its TOKYOPOP®
"Rising Stars of Manga(tm)" Talent Competition.
Answering the call of countless manga fans, this contest will
give aspiring U.S. artists the opportunity of a lifetime:
to submit their original stories (written in English) for
the chance to win cash prizes and get their work published
worldwide. The TOKYOPOP® "Rising Stars of Manga(tm)"
Talent Competition officially opens on August 15, 2002 and
runs through December 16, 2002.
Since
1996, TOKYOPOP® has been committed to bringing Japanese
manga and, more recently, Korean manga (manwha) to English-speaking
audiences. This Competition is not only indicative of the
company's commitment to seek out and foster new manga talent,
but it also responds to an increasingly active fanbase. Aspiring
local U.S.-based manga artists, searching for the perfect
outlet for their creative renderings, have sent TOKYOPOP enough
mail to fill a small swimming pool.
"With
the "Rising Stars" competition, TOKYOPOP hopes to
discover some of the best untapped manga talent the U.S. has
to offer," said Stu Levy, the company's Founder and Chief
Executive Officer. "We know that many aspiring manga
artists here at home are looking for an opportunity to be
published, and TOKYOPOP is proud to be the first U.S. manga
publisher to support turning their dreams into reality."
The grand
prizewinner will receive $2,500 and the chance to pitch a
full-length manga series to TOKYOPOP's top brass. The second
place winner will earn a cash prize of $1,000. Eight runner-ups
will each receive a cash prize of $500. All ten prizewinners
will be eligible to be published in a TOKYOPOP manga anthology
(The Rising Stars of Manga(tm)) scheduled for publication
in Spring 2003.
Entrants
are encouraged to submit content from all genres -- comedy,
drama, horror, science fiction, action, fantasy, romance --
and even under-represented genres such as political, historical
or instructional manga.
The Entry
Form and the Official Rules are available on the TOKYOPOP®
website (www.TOKYOPOP.com), or they may be requested by mail
by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Rising Stars
of Manga, c/o TOKYOPOP, 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2000,
Los Angeles, CA 90036. Entries must be postmarked by December
16, 2002.
8-7-2002
Introducing.FOX
BOX
4Kids
Entertainment Launches
An All-New Kind Of Kids Broadcast Network
Starting September 14, 2002
FOX BOX
OVERVIEW:
Beginning
Sept. 14, Saturday morning kids TV takes on a whole new shape.
Introducing.FOX
BOX, an excitement-filled Saturday morning kids network from
4Kids Entertainment, the company responsible for some of the
biggest names
in children's television. The powerhouse behind such mega
successes as
POKÉMON and YU-GI-OH!, 4Kids enters the kids network
arena as a company
committed to quality programs - and a company that knows what
kids like.
Backed
by the support of a multi-million dollar tune-in marketing
campaign,
FOX BOX debuts with an unprecedented commitment to original
programming,
unmatched by any other kids network. Inside FOX BOX awaits
the best in
action adventure, fun and surprises -- including such high-profile
programming as an all-new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (launching
first
quarter, 2003) and an animated series based on the ever-popular
video game
superstar KIRBY. These exciting programs - combined with an
original,
non-repeat strategy - will make FOX BOX Saturday morning appointment
viewing
for kids of all ages.
Supporting
the launch of FOX BOX is a comprehensive marketing campaign
that
combines on-air spots on broadcast and cable television -
that will continue
to drive tune-in throughout the year. Plus, in the two weeks
leading up to
the network's launch, leading retailer Toys "R"
Us will distribute to one
million kids an actual "Fox Box" filled with video
sneak peaks and a CD-ROM
filled with fun and games that capture the excitement that
awaits them with
the debut of FOX BOX this Fall.
Complementing
the broadcast network is www.FoxBox.tv, offering kids a daily
destination for games, show info, movie and video game previews,
sweepstakes
and all sorts of FOX BOX fun.
This fall,
4Kids Entertainment puts quality original programming and
non-stop promotional fun all inside the box.FOX BOX!
FOX BOX
SCHEDULE:
Introducing
the FOX BOX 2002-03 Season:
8:00-8:30AM:
STARGATE INFINITY
8:30-9:00AM: ULTRAMAN TIGA
9:00-9:30AM: KIRBY
9:30-10:00AM: ULTIMATE MUSCLE
10:00-10:30AM: ULTRAMAN TIGA*
(Through Q4-2002)
TEENAGE
MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
(Launches Q1-2003)
10:30-11:00AM:
ULTIMATE MUSCLE*
11:00-11:30AM: KIRBY *
11:30AM-12:00PM: FIGHTING FOODONS
* Note: KIRBY, ULTRAMAN TIGA and ULTIMATE MUSCLE will air
non-repeating
episodes within each Saturday's FOX BOX.
FOX BOX SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:
8:00AM STARGATE INFINITY
Action meets education in an animated series based on MGM's
successful
sci-fi movie and television franchise "Stargate."
A portal to the far
reaches of the universe, Stargate is trespassed upon by Draga,
a mysterious
creature escaping a sinister alien race. Now, Stargate Command
must get the
beguiling Draga back to her home planet while evading capture
by sinister
alien soldiers as well as bounty hunters from Earth. By weaving
scientific
facts and lessons into each storyline, STARGATE INFINITY is
fully compliant
with the FCC Children's Television Act. FOX BOX will supplement
the series
with in-school study guides. STARGATE INFINITY reunites the
team
responsible for such acclaimed educational programming as
the
multi-award-winning "Captain Planet" and "Where
on Earth is Carmen
Sandiego?," the first Emmy Award-winning FCC-friendly
series. (13 episodes)
8:30AM
& 9:30AM-non repeating episodes ULTRAMAN TIGA
Everyone has a favorite superhero. But sometimes, when the
going gets
tough, "super" is just not enough. And that's when
you need "ultra" - as in
Ultraman - the most popular action hero in Japan for over
three decades.
Now, FOX BOX brings this proven ratings winner to America
in all-new
adventures featuring the giant-sized Ultraman and the Global
Unlimited Task
Squad (GUTS), a team of super peacekeepers who defend Earth
from evil
creatures of all shapes and sizes. But even GUTS' advanced
weapons and
futuristic technology are useless against a new breed of mega-monsters
threatening mankind in the year 2049. That's when Ultraman
transforms from
his human identity to save the day! (52 episodes)
9:00AM
& 11:00AM-non repeating episodes KIRBY
Making his broadcast debut is one of most popular kids' characters
ever, the
video game superstar KIRBY, following hot on the heels of
15 video game
hits, including the popular Super Smash Bros. MeleeT for Nintendo
GamecubeT.
On a dark day in Dream Land, a spacecraft falls from the sky.
Inside is a
pink, round creature named Kirby. Could this possibly be the
legendary hero
from the stars here to battle the strange creatures that have
suddenly
appeared? The villagers sure hope so! Little do they know
that Kirby is
actually the last of the great Warpstar heroes, and it's his
destiny to
thwart a much more sinister force working its will through
King Dedede. How
can the little pink powerhouse stop them? By using his unique
copy ability,
Kirby takes in his opponents' attacks and gives them back
a taste of their
own medicine. This distinctive power is the inspiration behind
the show's
tagline: "Kirby -- Right Back at Ya!" (52 episodes)
9:30AM
& 10:30AM-non repeating episodes ULTIMATE MUSCLE
Nothing captures the attention of boys quite like wrestling
-- and ULTIMATE
MUSCLE is wrestling at its most radical! ULTIMATE MUSCLE pits
the powerful
but cowardly Kinnikuman in an intergalactic slam-a-rama of
fast-paced
excitement and far-out fun. With earth threatened by a sinister
and
oh-so-muscular band of space baddies, an interplanetary cry
for help goes
out for a hero to fight off these ne'er do-wells. Reluctantly
and
accidentally answering the call: Kinnikuman, who must somehow
find the
courage to compete in a wrestling tournament like none before.
In the other
corner: hundreds of the most diverse and powerful super-wrestlers
that the
cosmos has to offer. Oh, yeah, the fate of the universe is
at stake, of
course! Only one outcome's for sure: ULTIMATE MUSCLE will
turn up the
action and the laughter. (52 episodes)
10:00AM
(Beginning 1st Quarter 2003) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
The billion-dollar phenomenon of the late-80s and early-90s
returns first quarter 2003... But no one's ever seen TEENAGE
MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT) animated action like this. Meet
the Supreme Green Fightin' Machine in an all-new way! Accidentally
mutated by strange glowing green ooze in the sewers of New
York City, and trained to become masters of the martial arts,
the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are ready to do battle with
the crazed Shredder and a legion of formidable foes. But if
you think you know the TMNT story, think again! With incredible
martial arts action, laugh -out-loud humor and the coolest
reptiles you're ever going to meet, it's a whole new spin
on a television classic. Get ready for the phenomenon to return...
Get ready for TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES! (26 episodes,
debuting in the first quarter of 2003)
11:30AM
FIGHTING FOODONS
It's French fries vs. pizza! Spaghetti and meatballs vs. peanut
butter and jelly! Pork fried rice vs. chicken chow mein! We're
talking rude food with attitude! FIGHTING FOODONS is the wackiest
comedy adventure ever. It all starts when the secret art of
culinary combat is developed. Foods transform into monsters,
and they do battle for more than just good Zagat ratings.
But when the world's greatest chefs are kidnapped by the evil
Don Cook, a young apprentice sets off to rescue his father
by whipping up some kitchen creations of his own. A tasty
action adventure with more than a dash of humor and suspense,
FIGHTING FOODONS is the perfect recipe -- for fun and outrageousness!
Kids will never look at food the same way again. And next
time Mom says to finish your dinner, you'd better listen.before
it finishes
you! (26 episodes)
TEENAGE
MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
4Kids
Entertainment and Mirage Licensing, the holder of the rights
to TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, have teamed to produce twenty-six
(26) episodes of a new animated TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
television series -- all for broadcast exclusively on FOX
BOX beginning first quarter 2003.
The TEENAGE
MUTANT NINJA TURTLES were created in May 1984 when Peter Laird
and Kevin Eastman published a 40-page black-and-white comic
book. The original Ninja Turtles animated series debuted in
1987.
TMNT was
the No. 1 children's television show throughout the late 1980s
and early 1990s, sparking a massive invasion of TMNT mania
that is all ready to burst upon the scene with a whole new
generation of fans.
"In
reintroducing the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, I am pleased
to say that 4Kids will be going back to its comic book roots,"
said Peter Laird, co-creator of the Turtles. "We anticipate
that the new Ninja Turtles series will contain the same irreverent
contemporary humor and compelling action sequences that the
Turtles are famous for, updated for the 21st century."
KIRBY
KIRBY,
Nintendo's pink powerhouse, bounces onto US television airwaves
this fall on FOX BOX. Nintendo of America once again is teaming
up with 4Kids Entertainment to produce a Kirby animated television
series to be broadcast Saturday mornings starting Sept. 14,
2002 on the FOX BOX block programmed by 4Kids.
In the
KIRBY cartoon series, the well-rounded video game character
uses his famous copy ability to take what his opponents dish
out and send it back at them. Kirby's unique power is the
inspiration for the show's tagline, "Kirby - Right Back
at Ya!" During the course of the series, Kirby will be
transformed into Fire Kirby, Sword Kirby, Block Kirby and
more.
Kirby,
one of the most widely recognized video game characters in
the world, has appeared in 15 Nintendo video games to date,
including the popular Super Smash Bros. MeleeT for Nintendo
GameCubeT. More than 20 million Kirby games have been sold
worldwide since his debut a decade ago in Kirby's Dream Land®
for Nintendo's Game Boy®. Nintendo will launch a new Kirby
action game for Game Boy Advance this fall and a Nintendo
GameCubeT game is already under development.
"KIRBY's
television debut marks the natural progression for a Nintendo
character that has remained strong and popular around the
world," says Gail Tilden, vice president, network marketing,
Nintendo of America Inc. "4Kids' new Saturday morning
kids network on Fox, combined with its brand-building, licensing,
programming and production expertise, makes it the perfect
partner for Kirby. We're tickled pink!"
The KIRBY
entertainment initiative originated in Japan under the guidance
of Warpstar, a joint venture company formed by Nintendo Co.,
Ltd. And Hal Laboratories. Warpstar is responsible for developing
the Kirby animation series and managing the property worldwide.
The television series debuted in October in Japan on the CBC
network.
STARGATE
INFINITY
This fall
on FOX BOX, the animated action/adventure Stargate Infinity
continues the saga of the men and women of Stargate Command
as they travel the universe using the extraordinary powers
of the mysterious Stargate portals. Stargate Infinity is the
story of veteran Stargate explorer Major Gus Bonner and a
group of young Air Force Academy cadets. Wrongly accused of
treason, they must flee across the universe, pursued by a
ferocious new alien enemy. They must find a way to clear their
names and to protect the mysterious Draga a strange alien
being who may be the key to unlocking the ultimate secrets
of the Stargates and of the Ancients who built them.
DIC Entertainment
produces STARGATE INFINITY, the kids Saturday morning animation
series based on the highly successful Stargate franchise from
MGM Studios. STARGATE INFINITY is inspired by the $200 million*
grossing 1994 blockbuster film Stargate, and the wildly-popular
spin-off live-action television series Stargate SG-1. Starring
Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1 just entered its sixth
season on the Sci-Fi network. Now the franchise hyper-blasts
into totally new universe of adventure with the animated cartoon
STARGATE INFINITY.
STARGATE
INFINITY is FOX BOX's educational series complying with the
FCC's call for more responsible, instructional kids entertainment.
STARGATE INFINITY has answered the FCC's mandate with episodes
addressing topics of history and science, all the while using
the STARGATE INFINITY format to educate as well as entertain.
8-5-2002
No
major updates today, but I should have some new interviews
and reviews in the next week or two. Check the Shadow
Hearts review as I have added some sound samples to better
serve you in the mp4, WM and RM formats. I will be adding
more samples in the future, but not until I finish RocketBaby's
new look and format.
I
have received a lot of mail regarding what Noriyuki Asakura
and Hiroki Kikuta are doing these days.
Noriyuki
Asakura has composed an amazing score for the action
game SAMURAI and has composed the music for Activision's
up coming TENCHU 3. He is also working on music for
at least two to three more games (sorry no further details).
Hiroki
Kikuta is currently organizing a new game project
as a director, producer and music-composer (no further details).
7-28-2002
Kimitaka
Matsumae and Shuyo Murata interviews added.
7-15-2002
Reviews
for Shadow Hearts soundtrack and J-Idols: Fukakyon added.
7-10-2002
Great
news according to GAMESPOT.COM
Mr. Hamauzu will score Square's Unlimited Saga. Click the
link to read the full article regarding info about this highly
anticipated game.
7-9-2002
For
Anime Expo 2002:
Los Angeles,
CA (July 5, 2002) - TOKYOPOP® today announced the acquisition
of publishing rights to the highly popular manga series Lupin
the 3rd and the movie books for Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. Adding
to its successful and unprecedented line of Authentic Manga
books, TOKYOPOP® will publish the classic series Lupin
the 3rd in its original right-to-left format. Akira will join
such mega-hits as Cardcaptors in the company's growing catalog
of Cine-Manga titles (digitally captured screen stills laid
out in a storyboard
format).
Created
by renowned manga-ka (author) Monkey Punch, Lupin the 3rd
first debuted in a 1967 issue of Japan's Manga Action Weekly
magazine. Since then, the Lupin the 3rd franchise - including
a long list of anime TV shows, movies, merchandise and maestro
Hayao Miyazaki-helmed feature Castle of Cagliostro - has become
a national hallmark in Japan.
The manga
follows the life of international master thief Lupin III,
who comes from a long line of high-stakes bandits committed
to stealing from the rich for personal wealth. Lupin is joined
by partners-in-crime Daisuke Jigen, an ex-mafia hit man who
carries himself with a somber demeanor, and Goemon Ishikawa,
a tacit swordsman who mysteriously fades in and out of Lupin's
exploits. Fujiko Mine - a thief herself -- is the object of
Lupin's affections, but the duo's romance remains in turmoil
as their fierce competition interferes.
Considered
the most successful anime feature film to date, Akira's 1988
U.S. release introduced the anime genre to a new generation
of Americans. Its digitally restored 2001 theatrical release
was followed by a DVD that topped anime charts last year and
spawned a series of action figures.
Akira
is set in the futuristic post-war megalopolis known as Neo-Tokyo.
Sinister, dangerous and infested with gangs, this is a world
in which the government and crime syndicates differ only in
their methods of deviousness. Neo-Tokyo's dirty secrets are
hidden by its powerful military and corruption runs rampant.
When two childhood friends find themselves in a massive government
cover-up, their lives, along with countless others, are threatened.
A single boy - Akira - may be their only hope.
"We
are thrilled at the opportunity to release such treasured
classics as Lupin the 3rd and Akira, two series that hold
tremendously high esteem with both anime aficionados and the
mainstream public," said Stuart Levy, TOKYOPOP Founder
and Chief Executive Officer. "These acquisitions could
not be more timely as we continue the expansion of our successful
authentic manga and Cine-Manga businesses."
7-4-2002
Music4games
reports that a symphonic game music concert (@the Hollywood
Bowl) is in the works after the 2003's E3 show. The shows
organizers are Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico. Look for more
news soon on this event.
7-3-2002
Men
In Black™ 2 Opens With Music By Chance Thomas
Chance
Thomas, the award-winning composer most widely known for his
innovative work in interactive games, has created the music
for The ChubbChubbs™, which is currently playing at 1500
theaters nationwide in front of this summer’s blockbuster
movie, Men In Black™ 2. Released by Columbia Pictures,
The ChubbChubbs™ is a CG animated short film developed
and produced by Sony Pictures’ Imageworks.
Ken Ralston,
President of Sony Pictures' Imageworks and winner of 5 Academy
Awards, said, "Chance Thomas' music for The ChubbChubbs™
is fantastic. I first heard Chance's work when my wife recommended
I listen to the compositions for a computer game called Quest
for Glory V. It had a terrific motion picture feel to it,
and seemed Chance would be the perfect choice for Sony's first
all computer graphic mini-movie. Chance did some wild renditions
of some well known songs for ChubbChubbs, plus a wonderful
musical score. We couldn't be happier."
This marks
another turning point in the growing leadership of the videogame
industry as Hollywood recruits musical talent from the interactive
entertainment sector.
"There
is increasing interest from the film studios in game composers
who have an excellent track record composing music to picture",
says Bob Rice, CEO of Four Bars Intertainment, a management
agency representing composers for film, television and games
including Chance Thomas. "This will not only raise the
level of awareness for A-list composers in the games business
but highlights a tremendous pool of talent for the entertainment
industry at large."
Thomas,
whose credits include the immensely popular trailer for Universal’s
upcoming games based on The Lord of the Rings, is responsible
for composing and producing all of the original music for
The ChubbChubbs™. The original orchestral score composed
and orchestrated by Chance was performed by the Utah Film
Orchestra and recorded at LA East Recording Studios in Salt
Lake City, UT. The film also features remakes of the classic
songs, "Respect" and "Why Can’t We Be
Friends", which Chance produced as well.
Chance
said of the experience, "Though we were relative newcomers
to the film industry, everyone at Imageworks treated us with
tremendous respect. Director Eric Armstrong and producer Jacquie
Barnbrook were incredibly open-minded to lessons we'd learned
from our game industry experience, and their leadership style
encouraged a real spirit of collaboration among the creative
team."
Chance
produced one of the first live orchestral scores in an interactive
game, Quest For Glory V: Dragon Fire, and will long be remembered
for his winning game music Grammy campaign in the late 1990's.
He is a winner of many accolades, having been honored by the
Emmy Awards, Aurora Awards, Addy Awards, Telly Awards, the
Vault Network Awards and others. Additional information is
available online at HUGEsound.com.
The ChubbChubbs™
is released nationwide with Men In Black™ on July, 3rd
2002.
7-1-2002
GUTSOON!
ENTERTAINMENT TO INTRODUCE RAIJIN COMICS
TO NORTH AMERICAN MARKETPLACE
First
Weekly Serial Manga Comic Book Set For U.S. Launch In November
2002
For Animé
Expo 2002 - As a result of the explosive growth in the anime
genre, Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc. plans to launch a new
product line, Raijin Comics, a weekly manga comic book anthology
based on Japanese stories and characters, translated for the
North American market. Retail sales will begin in November
2002.
Raijin,
which translates as "Thunder God", best describes
the power of the product line, and represents the flagship
publishing property for Gutsoon!'s U.S.-based publishing division.
Gutsoon!'s sister company, Japan-based Coamix, introduced
the Raijin Comics to Japanese consumers in May 2002 with immediate
success, due in part to a unique bilingual supplement that
accompanied each release. Japanese readers have used the supplement
as a learning tool to improve their English skills, allowing
them greater understanding of animé and manga-style
titles published in Japan and abroad. Unique to the North
American Issue of Raijin Comics will be Fujin, a special supplement
included in the weekly issues, will provide readers up to
the minute details on anime, videogames and trends in Japanese
culture.
"Animé
and manga titles are gaining significant momentum worldwide,
giving creators opportunities to introduce new, original content
on a regular basis to meet the demand of readers," said
Nobuhiko Horie, Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc.'s Chairman. "The
introduction of this Japanese phenomena in the U.S. has been
very successful, and we are encouraged by the response to
date for our existing properties."
Gutsoon!
Entertainment's anticipates initial circulation for Raijin
Comics to be 15,000 copies per week. Following the lead from
it's Japanese counterpart, Gutsoon! plans to introduce an
expanded character line in the weekly anthology, which will
initially feature leading manga artists Hojo's City Hunter,
Hara's Fist of the Blue Sky, Inoue's Slam Dunk, and Niwano's
Bomber Girl . The key demographic for the company's product
remains 15 to 34 year old males, however, the increase in
story lines with strong femalecharacters has generated equal
interest among female readers.
Created
by Horie, President and CEO of Coamix, Hara , Hojo , accomplished
editors Negishi and Yamamoto, Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc.
is a privately-held corporation operated by its shareholders
and U.S.-based management team. The company's partners include
publishing powerhouse Shinchosha, Hakuhodo and Sega Corp.,
who will work with the company to develop game and anime based
content.
6-10-2002
Final Fantasy IV (FF II in USA) and Vampire Hunter D (1986)
reviews added.
6-03-2002
New Friends of RocketBaby added!
5-29-2002
Japan's
Voluntary Shut-Ins
5-14-2002
Interviews
with Daiki Kasho and Masafumi Ogata have been published. Daiki
was part of Sony's Polyphony Digital, but is now a free lancer.
Masafumi Ogata is the composer in residence for hentai game
maker C's Ware. Enjoy.
TOKYOPOP
Announces Two New Authentic Manga Titles: Master of the Clow
and Angelic Layer
Los Angeles (May 14, 2002)-TOKYOPOP, a leading producer and
distributor ofJapanese manga, animé and video game/animé
soundtracks, will release two new authentic manga titles this
summer: Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow and Angelic
Layer. Recently, TOKYOPOP became the first publisher to
guarantee that all of its future Japanese graphic novels will
be produced in authentic manga format-written to read from
right to left as the creators
intended and preserving the accuracy of the original artwork
(at an industry-leading retail price of $9.99, versus most
competitors' $12.99 and $16.99).
Master
of the Clow and Angelic Layer are new graphic novels with
strong international appeal to diverse audiences. Both were
created by the highly popular, all-female team of artists
and writers known as CLAMP (Satsuki Igarshi, Nanase Ohkawa,
Mick Nekoi and Mokona Apapa). Other successful CLAMP titles
include Chobits, Clover and Magic Knight Rayearth.
Angelic
Layer hits North American store shelves in June. This exciting
series follows the futuristic adventures of 12-year-old Misaki
Suzuhara,
whose dream is to excel at the sport of Angelic Layer-battle
tournaments for electronic "Angel" dolls hatched
from eggs.
In July,
TOKYOPOP brings fans the second story from the best-selling
girls' manga series in Japan: Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of
the Clow. This
one tells the exciting tale of 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto,
who, wielding her magical ancient Clow Cards, must confront
an ominous force that has come
to Tokyo to put her powers to the test. As an added value,
each volume will contain one of six collectible Sakura cards.
"Cardcaptor
Sakura has been an extremely successful property for TOKYOPOP,"
says TOKYOPOP President and COO John Parker. "I believe
that American girls
will go wild for these two series, as well as our other CLAMP
titles, because they bring a completely fresh perspective
to manga."
Oni Press
editor-in-chief Jamie Rich, a dedicated CLAMP fan, will handle
the rewrite of Angelic Layer. "There's a universal appeal
to Angelic Layer
for every kid-or anyone who has been one-because Misaki's
strongest weapon when competing in tournaments is her inner
strength," Rich says. "CLAMP
creations have a certain extra something that other manga
comics lack. There 's a real spirit of fun in their stories
and their drawing-with a great sense of story movement. And
I love the way their lines shoot across the page."
TOKYOPOP
will release the first-volume graphic novels for Initial D,
Kodocha, Love Hina and Paradise Kiss throughout May and June,
all as part of more than 70 volumes appearing over the next
six months.
5-7-2002
NAMCO
does E3
San Jose, CA May 3, 2002 - Namco Hometek Inc. has announced
the list of titles it plans to show at this year's E3 Expo.
Showing will be: Dead
to Rights™, Tekken®4,
Xenosaga™
(tentative title),
Ninja Assault™ and many others.
Final
Fantasy XI composers revealed!
RocketBaby has learned that Naoshi Mizuta (Parasite Eve
2) and Kumi Tanioka (Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon 2) will
share scoring duties with Nobuo Uematsu for Squares epic online
RPG.
July 30, 2001
Who is "Bo"
For the many who have contacted us about the identity of
the mysterious "BO."
Tokuhiko Uwabo (AKA BO) composed the music for the original
Phantasy Star game on the SEGA Master System. He left SEGA
about five years ago and there is no further information available
at this time. When we get more information we'll let you know.
Truth or BS: Sakimoto and Mitsuda working together?
Hitoshi Sakimoto and Yasunori Mitsuda are working on a PS2
game that is scheduled to be announced next Month (Aug). It
is not know weather the two worked together or separately
(probably separately).
Rumor also has it that Mr. Sakimoto will begin working on
another PS2 (title unknown) game in September.
More info as it becomes available
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